Appaloosa??? yay or nay?

[bumper]

Another yay here!
My appy x cob is very intelligent, curious (hugely prehensile mouth), willing, bold, sane, sensible, brilliant in traffic, but rather stubborn.....you have to ask in the right way! He pulls faces too, and would probably be a lap-dog in another life :-D

ETA he is the first three pics in my siggy.

 

[Apricot]

I've had two!! Every Appy I've known has had a MASSIVE personality!! Mine were both very hardy, enjoyed life and eating, a bit stubborn and slightly quirky with a LOT of character... I think it's because they have such human-like eyes, when an appaloosa is displeased, it is very obvious in his facial expression

 

[Apricot]

bit like chestnuts, supposedly sensitive and mares are tempermental - now does every chestnut you know conform to that? No I didn't think so, same for appys. I don't own one but my yard owner has one and I have worked consistently with 5 that are in and out of the veterinary clinic at the moment (all different problems so don't worry there!). They are all different and all like any other horse that comes in and out daily other than they make your eyes go funny when lunging!

But Appaloosa is a breed, chestnut is a colour!

 

[Kokopelli]

Koko was very aggresvie to the vet and anyone he thought was the vet. Did I think this was because of his breed, no. It was because he had a bad experience as a youngster and lacked a lot of trust in vets so when in his stable with one he had the fight or flight instinct, obviously couldn't flight so he fought.

I think if the filly seems like a nice 'person' go for her BUT don't just buy her because of her colour. Just being curious what colour is she?

 

[team barney]

If you like the filly and you would like her just as much if she was a solid bay (always a good rule for judging conf) go for it and buy her.

I wasn't trying to imply appaloosas are trouble, just stating my personal experiences with one small bloodline which breed lines have probably died out know anyway. I didn't get my meaning across at all well and I apologise for that.
Regarding the American comment, it was a sweeping generalisation based only on the appys I have had the most dealings with.
Most of the Appaloosas I have ridden/handled have been bred in the UK from USA bloodlines and I have never had a problem with a single one they have been very good nature intelligent and (on the whole) willing to please.
I have found the ones I have dealt with to be very bold, not much scares them. They haven't been the type of horses to run from scary plastic bags, more likely to go and search through them!

 

[Ashgrove]

I have a spotty shetland, I don't know his breeding, he came from an auction before paqssports were around.

He is very affectionate, very cuddly, intelligent, quick to learn and a real character, too much of a character sometimes

 

[Javabb94]

just a question,

i havent taken my appy to any shows yet and i took him for a lesson and he practically barged me out the way to see the other horses!!! its unerved me quite a lot about taking him


so what are you appy's like to handle at shows?

i understand my horse hasnt socialised much as he has only been to 5 shows ans he is 12 but will he settle?

 

[Ashgrove]

just a question,

i havent taken my appy to any shows yet and i took him for a lesson and he practically barged me out the way to see the other horses!!! its unerved me quite a lot about taking him


so what are you appy's like to handle at shows?

i understand my horse hasnt socialised much as he has only been to 5 shows ans he is 12 but will he settle?

My Hector (shetland X spotty) is calm but shows himself off. We go to the spotty show at Greenlands, although probably not this year because I've hogged him .

My friend has a non spotty spotty and he's a very laid back chap.

Where abouts in Cumbria are you? I'm between Longtown and Canonbie.

 

[ScattyBella]

I am really only asking about the breed not just 'spotty horses' but thanks.

i know what you mean about the prehensile mouth, paired with their eyes they have a really human feel to them.

her owner said she is stubborn with anyone else but will do anything for her, and thats so true, i asked her to move and she was like 'um no, who are you?' but after a bit of 'no im asking you to move over here, come on, im asking nicely' and lots of praise she was more than happy to move for me. and to be honest if a horse of mine was happy to barge me out of the way i would put that down to the way i have brought them up rather than their breed.

 

[Pat10]

I have one at the moment, and he's the sweetest gentleman of a horse you could wish to meet - with humans anyway. He's a bit dominant with my pony mare, but I tink that's because he's not been able to socialise properly for about 7 years, so is making the most of it now.

I've know quite a few others, and as a general rule, they are nice natured. As with any breed though, there will always be the exception to the rule.

So that's a Yay from me too.

 

[Pat10]

just a quick p.s. I recommend that you make sure the filly is not carrying the PSSM gene (there are DNA tests available). If you haven't come across it before, there are several good articles on it, if you google 'PSSM in horses'.

...and I've just realised that there's a thread about it in the breeding section of this forum.

 

[spotty_pony]

I've had two!! Every Appy I've known has had a MASSIVE personality!! Mine were both very hardy, enjoyed life and eating, a bit stubborn and slightly quirky with a LOT of character... I think it's because they have such human-like eyes, when an appaloosa is displeased, it is very obvious in his facial expression

This is very true! My Farrier can always tell when my boy is in a bad mood as his eyes go very small!

 

[Tinsel Town]

Spotty is a gem, he is cheeky, funny, full of character, easy to handle on the ground, polite, he's a scrounger when it comes to food, can be strong, most of the time hes fantastic and doesnt put a foot wrong
I think like with any breed you get good ones and difficult ones they are all different, if the filly your looking at fits the bill then go for it!
They are so pretty as well! nice bonus!!

 

[freckles22uk]

Hi, Ive got erm... far to many of them....lol, well 1 stallion, 73% FPD (foundation), and he has the sweetest nature, hes 5 now and I did breed him myself, Ive also got his mum, shes from the Centaur stud in Leicestershire, and again fab nature, great at jumping etc...
Ticky, she is more American bred.. with the thickest tail!... also an appy x TB.. she is sweet but sensitive, shes not nasty or anything, and does not kick or bite, but likes gentle handling...

also got 3 foals.. and they are nosey, inquisitive, independant,

I love the breed, they learn quick, are easy to keep, have great feet (mine are all barefoot) mine all have good manes and tails, they have expressive faces, but they can be stubborn, but once you win the fight, they are fine, plus they have the most amazing coat colours... I would not have any other breed,

I guess though, a lot of 'spotties' arnt 'Appaloosas', but spotted horses, or x's ( here in Spain if its got spots its called an Appy)

I would go ahead and buy her, im sure you will have years of fun with her... I have..

 

[rowy]

just a question,

i havent taken my appy to any shows yet and i took him for a lesson and he practically barged me out the way to see the other horses!!! its unerved me quite a lot about taking him


so what are you appy's like to handle at shows?

i understand my horse hasnt socialised much as he has only been to 5 shows ans he is 12 but will he settle?

mine just winnys every 2 mins like a girl- rather embarassing! but he doesnt do it in the ring or near the rings, just in parking area lol.

as to other comments- mine is not aggressive AT ALL. He has never ever tried to kick or sometimes he nibbles ur coat if he thinks u got food but wont bite. I think i have only seen him with his ears back only a couple of times since i got him and it has always been at another horse but he only does it for like 2 seconds and then gives in- my 2 year old exmoor is higher in the herd than him lol.

He also is quite inquisitive. he likes picking up things and waving them about! he has grabbed a brish in the past and started brushing the walls with it! also, one time i stuck my foot in the water bucket to crack the ice and then he stuck his foot in it to help lol he is such a character and everyone who meets him loves him! even my non horsey dad!